How You Can Use the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) To Stop Debt Collectors From Harassing You

The Fair Debt Collection practices Act, (FDCPA) 15 U.S.C. § 1692, is a federal law that can protect consumers like you from being harassed by debt collectors, you just need to educate yourself and know your rights to be able to use the law to your advantage. Specifically, this law prohibits debt collectors from using abusive, unfair, or deceptive practices to collect from you.

Here are a few of the more prominent details of the FDCPA

The FDCPA only applies to Debt Collectors and the act defines a debt collector is someone who regularly collects debts owed to others. This includes collection agencies, lawyers who collect debts on a regular basis, and companies that buy delinquent debts and then try to collect them. This act does not apply to companies or individuals attempting to collect on their own debts.

Every debt collector must send you a written “validation notice” telling you how much money you owe within five days after they first contact you. This notice also must include the name of the creditor to whom you owe the money, and how to proceed if you don’t think you owe the money.

If you send the debt collector a letter stating that you don’t owe any or all of the money, or asking for verification of the debt, that collector must stop contacting you. You must send that letter within 30 days after you receive the validation notice. But a collector can begin contacting you again if it sends you written verification of the debt, like a copy of a bill for the amount you owe.

The Act covers personal, family, and household debts, including money you owe on a personal credit card account, an auto loan, a medical bill, and your mortgage. The FDCPA doesn’t cover debts you incurred to run a business.

A debt collector may not contact you at inconvenient times or places, such as before 8 in the morning or after 9 at night, unless you agree to it. Also debt collectors may not contact you at work if they’re told (orally or in writing) that you’re not allowed to get calls there.

Although you can stop a debt collector from contacting you, you may want to talk to them at least once to see if you can resolve the matter – even if you don’t think you owe the debt, can’t repay it immediately, or think that the collector is contacting you by mistake. If you decide after contacting the debt collector that you don’t want the collector to contact you again, tell the collector – in writing– to stop contacting you. Here’s how to do that: Make a copy of your letter. Send the original by certified mail, and pay for a “return receipt” so you’ll be able to document what the collector received. Once the collector receives your letter, they may not contact you again, with two exceptions: a collector can contact you to tell you there will be no further contact or to let you know that they or the creditor intend to take a specific action, like filing a lawsuit.

What practices are off limits for debt collectors under the FDCPA?

Harassment. Debt collectors may not harass, oppress, or abuse you or any third parties they contact. For example, they may not:

use threats of violence or harm;

publish a list of names of people who refuse to pay their debts (but they can give this information to the credit reporting companies);

use obscene or profane language; or

repeatedly use the phone to annoy someone.

False statements. Debt collectors may not lie when they are trying to collect a debt. For example, they may not:

falsely claim that they are attorneys or government representatives;

falsely claim that you have committed a crime;

falsely represent that they operate or work for a credit reporting company;

misrepresent the amount you owe;

indicate that papers they send you are legal forms if they aren’t; or

indicate that papers they send to you aren’t legal forms if they are.

Debt collectors also are prohibited from saying that:

you will be arrested if you don’t pay your debt;

they’ll seize, garnish, attach, or sell your property or wages unless they are permitted by law to take the action and intend to do so; or

legal action will be taken against you, if doing so would be illegal or if they don’t intend to take the action.

Debt collectors may not:

give false credit information about you to anyone, including a credit reporting company;

send you anything that looks like an official document from a court or government agency if it isn’t; or

use a false company name.

Unfair practices. Debt collectors may not engage in unfair practices when they try to collect a debt. For example, they may not:

try to collect any interest, fee, or other charge on top of the amount you owe unless the contract that created your debt – or your state law – allows the charge;

deposit a post-dated check early;

take or threaten to take your property unless it can be done legally; or

contact you by postcard.

As you can see the FDCPA provides numerous protections and rights that consumers need to know about. If you live in Washington state and have additional questions about the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), give Symmes Law Group a call at 206-682-7975 to learn about your options.